Choosing a memorial isn’t like buying furniture. You can’t just pick what you like and expect it to fit. The location matters as much as the design.
In Lincolnshire, a village churchyard operates under completely different rules to a council cemetery. Get it wrong, and the burial authority will refuse the installation. We’ve seen it happen, and it’s heartbreaking for families who’ve already made their choice.
Here’s what you need to know before you start looking at designs.
Churchyards and the Lincoln Diocese
Churchyards sit next to old, often listed, buildings. The Church of England guards the appearance of these grounds carefully. They want memorials that blend in, not ones that draw attention.
What stone you can use
You’re limited to natural, non-reflective materials. Portland limestone, Nabresina, York stone, and some granites are usually fine. Highly polished granite – the kind with a mirror finish – is almost always refused. Black or dark grey granite won’t pass either, unless it’s honed to a matte surface. White marble rarely gets approval because it weathers badly in Lincolnshire.
Getting permission
You don’t buy a permit. You apply for a Faculty. If your design fits the standard Chancellor’s Regulations, your local vicar can approve it. Anything outside that (a photograph, an unusual shape, or certain inscriptions) requires a formal Faculty from the Diocese. That means forms, fees, and a longer wait.
What else is banned
Artificial flowers, mostly. You can place Remembrance Day poppies or a Christmas wreath, but they need to be removed after a set time. Glass vases and solar lights are also usually refused.
Council Cemeteries
These are run by local authorities like North Lincolnshire Council or East Lindsey District Council. They’re more relaxed because they’re not trying to protect a medieval setting.
What stone you can use
Almost anything. Polished granite in any colour, marble, etched portraits – if you can design it, they’ll probably allow it.
The layout rules
Most modern cemeteries are “Lawn Cemeteries.” The council cuts the grass, so you’re only allowed a headstone at the top of the grave. No kerb sets (the stone borders around a plot) and no gravel, because it blocks the mowers.
Getting permission
You apply for a Permit instead of a Faculty. As long as the memorial meets the council’s height and width limits, approval usually comes through within a few weeks.
A note on ownership
You don’t own the plot. You purchase the Exclusive Right of Burial, usually for 50 to 75 years. Keep your contact details current with the council. If the memorial becomes unsafe later and they can’t reach you, they’re within their rights to remove it.
The Six-Month Wait (And Why It Exists)
Whether you’re in a churchyard or a cemetery, you’ll be asked to wait before installing a full headstone. We recommend six months as a minimum, often closer to a year.
This isn’t red tape. It’s about the ground settling. A fresh grave is loose earth. Installing a heavy stone too soon means it will tilt or sink as the soil compacts. We’ve repaired memorials that were rushed, and it’s expensive to fix.
Small cremation plaques or temporary markers can usually go in much sooner. But a full headstone needs time.
How We Handle the Regulations
When a family contacts us, the first thing we do is check the rules for their specific plot. We contact the burial authority, submit drawings for approval, and handle the paperwork. You shouldn’t have to worry about whether your choice will be accepted. That’s our job.
If you’re not sure what’s allowed where your loved one is buried, get in touch. We’ll find out for you and talk you through the options.
Common Questions About Memorial Rules
Can I put a photograph on a churchyard memorial?
Usually, no. Most churchyards in the Lincoln Diocese won’t allow ceramic or laser-etched photographs unless you apply for a special Faculty. Council cemeteries are more flexible and often permit them.
Why is polished black granite refused in churchyards?
The Church wants memorials to blend with the setting, not stand out. Highly polished stone reflects light and looks modern, which clashes with the historic surroundings. Honed (matte) finishes are more likely to be accepted.
Can I add kerb sets around the grave in a council cemetery?
Not in a Lawn Cemetery. The council maintains the grass, and kerb sets block the mowers. You’re only allowed a headstone at the top of the plot in most modern cemeteries.
How long does it take to get approval for a memorial?
In a council cemetery, a few weeks if the design meets the standard rules. In a churchyard, it depends – simple designs can be approved quickly, but anything unusual may need a formal Faculty, which takes longer.
What happens if I install a memorial without permission?
The burial authority can refuse it or ask for it to be removed. We’ve seen families have to pay twice – once for the rejected stone, and again for a replacement that meets the rules.
